Degrees of Comparison

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Degrees of Comparison in English Grammar

Adjectives and adverbs are two among the 8 Parts of Speech in the English Language. They describe the qualities of nouns and verbs. Sometimes we simply describe a quality (positive), sometimes we compare between two (comparative), and sometimes we identify the highest or lowest among many (superlative). This is called the degree of comparison.

Example:

  • The tea is hot. (Positive – just description)

  • This tea is hotter than yesterday’s. (Comparative – comparing two)

  • This is the hottest tea I’ve ever had. (Superlative – highest degree among many)

Why Degree of Comparison?

Understanding the types of degree in grammar and applying the correct degrees of comparison rules allows us to speak and write English more precisely. Whether you are simply describing something with a positive degree, comparing two things with a comparative degree, or identifying the extreme with a superlative degree, using the correct degree of adjective makes communication clearer.

What is the Degree of Comparison?

The degree of comparison is a grammatical tool used to measure or compare the intensity of qualities. It is applied to adjectives (describing nouns) and adverbs (describing verbs).

It has three forms:

  1. Positive Degree – shows the quality in its base form.

  2. Comparative Degree – shows a greater or lesser quality between two.

  3. Superlative Degree – shows the extreme (highest or lowest) quality among three or more.


The Three Degrees of Comparison

1. Positive Degree

  • This is the base form of an adjective/adverb.

  • It only describes the quality, without comparison.

Examples:

  • The soup is hot.

  • Riya is kind.

  • The sky is blue.

  • My dog is playful.

Tip: The positive degree is used when talking about one thing only.

2. Comparative Degree

  • Used when comparing two people, things, or actions.

  • Formed by either:

    1. Adding -er to short adjectives.

    2. Using more or less with longer adjectives.

  • Usually followed by than.

Examples:

  • This road is narrower than that one.

  • Rahul runs faster than his friends.

  • Her dress is more beautiful than mine.

  • Today is colder than yesterday.

Tip: Always use than when comparing two things.

3. Superlative Degree

  • Used when comparing three or more people or things.

  • Formed by either:

    1. Adding -est to short adjectives.

    2. Using most or least with longer adjectives.

  • Usually preceded by the.

Examples:

  • Mount Everest is the highest mountain.

  • The cheetah is the fastest land animal.

  • Ananya is the most talented dancer in our group.

  • This is the scariest scene in the movie.

Tip: Use the before the superlative form.


Rules for Forming Degrees

  1. One-syllable adjectives → add -er / -est

    • tall → taller → tallest

    • long → longer → longest

  2. Adjectives ending in -e → add -r / -st

    • large → larger → largest

    • fine → finer → finest

  3. Adjectives ending in -y → change y → i, then add -er / -est

    • happy → happier → happiest

    • busy → busier → busiest

  4. Double final consonant if vowel + consonant

    • big → bigger → biggest

    • hot → hotter → hottest

  5. Two or more syllables → use more / most (or less / least)

    • beautiful → more beautiful → most beautiful

    • comfortable → more comfortable → most comfortable

  6. Irregular adjectives (do not follow rules):

    • good → better → best

    • bad → worse → worst

    • far → farther/further → farthest/furthest

    • little → less → least

    • many/much → more → most


Common Errors in Degrees of Comparison

❌ Double comparatives/superlatives:

  • Wrong: more taller, most easiest

  • Correct: taller, easiest

❌ Wrong word choice:

  • Wrong: She is beautifuller.

  • Correct: She is more beautiful.

❌ Wrong prepositions:

  • Wrong: He is smarter from his brother.

  • Correct: He is smarter than his brother.

❌ Missing “the” before superlative:

  • Wrong: Mount Everest is highest mountain.

  • Correct: Mount Everest is the highest mountain.


Chart of Degrees of Comparison


PositiveComparativeSuperlative
tall        taller    tallest
kind                        kinder    kindest
big        bigger    biggest
happy                       happier    happiest
busy        busier                   busiest
large        larger    largest
beautiful        more beautiful    most beautiful
comfortable        more comfortable    most comfortable
good        better    best
bad        worse    worst
far        farther/further    farthest/furthest
little        less    least
many/much        more    most





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